Campus News

In memory of alumnus Austin Stanfill ’12, who passed away on May 3, University of St. Thomas Campus Ministry will lead a rosary at the end of every 12:30 p.m. Mass from May 9-17 in the Chapel of St. Basil. The Rosary will be recited at the end of the 10:30 a.m. Mass on May 12. Join the University community to pray and remember Stanfill.

University Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry the Rev. Michael Buentello, CSB, in a campus-wide email, invited the campus community to commemorate Stanfill.

“In our unity, we will remember all the good that Austin stood for and present him to our Saving Lord, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” Buentello said. “Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and his close friends. In this time of sadness, we need to remind ourselves of the promises of the saving mission of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and his gift of eternal life."

Stanfill, recognized as the Outstanding Graduate in International Studies from UST last year, had been accepted on scholarship to pursue his master's degree in international economic development at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in the fall.

During his time at St. Thomas, he was actively involved in the Center for International Studies Social Entrepreneurship Program, a service-learning program in which students have the opportunity to eradicate poverty through allocating micro-credit loans given to the impoverished. He held several leadership positions in the program, including president during his senior year and director of grant writing. He was able to study abroad in Strasbourg, France and Taiwan.

Funeral services are at 10 a.m. on May 8 in the Fellowship Hall at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, Texas. Following short graveside services, a reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those wishing to send their condolences make a donation in Stanfill's memory to the Social Entrepreneurship Program: University of St. Thomas, Micro Credit Program, 3800 Montrose Blvd, Houston, Texas.